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OWAN WEST LGA READY FOR IMOUDU CUP, AS ILABOYA GETS AWARD OF RECOGNITION

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All is now set for the 11th Edition of Pa Michael imoudu memorial football tournament for under 19 male  and female Teams  in Nigeria.

The annual football tournament in memory of the first labour leader in Nigeria (Pa Michael imoudu) is being put together by the Federation of Youth Soccer Clubs (FEYSOC) South South zone, with the Eighteen local Government councils of Edo State represented at the event alongside Private teams from across the country.

The week long soccer carnival that will hold from November 15th –  22nd 2019 at Sabongidda Ora, Adminstrative headquartesrs of Owan West local Government Area(Host/sponsors)  is expected to be declare opened by the sports loving  Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu,.

According to the Executive chairman of Owan west local government Area Hon Frank ilaboya, the council is ready to stage the event in memory of Pa Michael Imoudu who sacrifice so much for labour during his life time, adding that the football tournament is coming at a time the council has set out Programs to engaged the youth of the locality meaningfully.

“The history of the Nigeria Labour Congress can’t be told without the name Pa Michael Imoudu who sacrifice so much for labour, he Promoted and defended the rights and the social well being of the Nigerian workers.

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For me the football tournament in his memory is coming at the right time, as we have lined up various Programs to engage the youth of Owan West Local Government Area, Ilaboya stated.                       

The Digital chairman as he is fondly called by his admirers said this edition of Imoudu Cup will be different from previous events  as some fresh ideas will be added to make it worthwhile.

Pa Michael Imoudu who hails from Oke – Ora, of Owan west local government area of Edo State, donated the trophy for Youth football in Nigeria in 1999, to the federation of youth soccer clubs (FEYSOC) for grassroot football development.

Meanwhile, the national President of the Federation of Youth Soccer Clubs, Lawal Futua has congratulate Frank Ilaboya as one of the awardee by Edo state Government Agency, Edo jobs project in recognition of his youth empowerment programs in the state.

Futua praised the efforts of the former Edo FA boss for engaging the youth of Owan West Local Government Area meaningfully.

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Meanwhile, ahead of the 2019 Alaghodaro Youth and Job Summit coming up on Monday in Benin City, the Head of Edo State Skills Development Agency, Mrs. Ukinabo Dare, has notified Owan West Council Chairman, Frank Ilaboya, of his nomination for award by the State Government’s Agency.

The notice of award sent to the Chairman by the Head of the Agency reads:

“We would like to use this medium to express our profound gratitude for believing in the EdoJobs project and for the unprecedented level of support you have given us so far.

“As part of the activities outlined for the 2019 Alaghodaro Youth and Job Summit, we will be acknowledging and presenting awards to major stakeholders and partners who have stood by us in achieving His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki’s Job Creation mandate.

“It is with great pleasure we write to inform you of your selection as one of the awardees for recognition. You and other recipients have stood out as leaders who exemplify ethical standards and admirable behaviour,” Mrs Dare added.

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Ilaboya, in his acceptance letter, expressed gratitude to the Agency for finding him worthy to receive the award.

“Honestly, I am excited by this recognition by the Edo jobs, an agency well reputed for job creation and training in the State. I have received several awards for our Youth Empowerment Scheme in Owan West, but I must confess that none compare to this coming from the government agency that is well acclaimed worldwide.

“I want to express my profound gratitude to the Management of Edo Jobs for this honour and promise to keep doing more in the areas they found me worthy.”

The conferment of award will hold at Samuel Ogbemudia Hall (New Era College), Upper Mission Road, Benin City on Monday.

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Israel facing potential UEFA suspension vote as political pressure mounts

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UEFA appears poised for an emergency vote on suspending Israel from European competition next week, with national federations scrambling to position themselves amid mounting political pressure following calls for action.

The brewing crisis intensified this week when United Nations experts called for Israel’s suspension from international football amid the unfolding genocide in occupied Palestinian territory.

A source confirmed that Europe’s soccer body could potentially decide next week to vote on whether to suspend Israel from European competition.

Should UEFA vote to ban Israel, it would put the organisation on a collision course with the government of the United States — co-hosts for the 2026 World Cup — which is vehemently against such a motion.

“We will absolutely work to fully stop any effort to attempt to ban Israel’s national soccer team from the World Cup,” a spokesperson for the U.S. state department told Sky News.

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But even though UEFA has the power to suspend Israel or its clubs from their competitions, it may not be able to stop them from competing in World Cup qualifiers, which fall under the ambit of global soccer body FIFA.

The general secretaries of all UEFA national associations are meeting this week in Marbella, where Israel is not officially on the agenda, but officials expect UEFA to call an emergency vote next week.

FIFA did not respond to a Reuters request for comment while UEFA declined to comment.

Palestinian Football Association president Jibril Rajoub said Israelis should not be allowed to participate in any matches, whether they are under UEFA or FIFA.

“Israel has violated the principles, values and FIFA’s statutes. Therefore, I believe that Israel should be sanctioned,” Rajoub told TV2.

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“The sanctions should come from UEFA and FIFA.”

WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

Israel’s national team are set to face Norway and Italy, the top two teams in their World Cup qualifying group, next month.

“We don’t have any indications that we are facing such an act (UEFA suspension),” a spokesperson for the Israel Football Association told Reuters.

“We are focusing on our international matches against Norway and Italy.”

Norwegian broadcaster NRK reported the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) is one of the member associations that have been the driving force behind calling for a meeting on the Israel situation. The NFF declined to comment.

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Lise Klaveness, the president of the NFF and a member of the UEFA Executive Committee, has also been vocal about the crisis in Gaza ahead of her country’s home game against Israel on October 11.

“Neither we nor other organisations can remain indifferent to the humanitarian suffering and disproportionate attacks that the civilian population in Gaza has been subjected to for a long time,” Klaveness said in a statement last month.

“We want to donate the proceeds (from the game) to a humanitarian organisation that saves lives in Gaza every day and provides active emergency aid on the ground.”

The Dutch football federation (KNVB) said it knows nothing about a vote to suspend Israel.

“As soon as the football association receives a message about this, it will take a position,” the KNVB told Dutch outlet NOS.

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Last week, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Israel should be banned from international sports competitions. However, officials from the Spanish FA (RFEF) have kept a low profile on the matter.

Israel maintains that its war is not against the population of Gaza but against the Hamas militant group whose fighters led the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies, and precipitated the war.

The subsequent war in Gaza has killed more than 65,000 people, according to local health officials.

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WAFU-B U17 Championship: Golden Eaglets rout Baby Cheetahs 4-1 in Yamoussoukro

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George Agha with his MVP award on Wednesday.

A hat-trick from George Agha and a sublime free-kick goal from David Edeh ensured a comfortable start for five-time world champions Nigeria in the WAFU-B U17 Championship, as the Golden Eaglets routed Baby Cheetahs of Benin Republic 4 -1 in Yamoussoukro on Wednesday.

Agha converted from the spot three minutes into the game after Boluwatife Thompson was hacked inside the box.

Edeh displayed fantastic football artistry to score from a free-kick in the 5th minute of the encounter.

The Eaglets were in cruise control as Agha bagged his brace in the 14th minute. The charges of Manu Garba were very dominant with a three-goal advantage.

Warris Soumanou in goal for Benin Republic was caught napping and his error of judgement gave the Eaglets another goal after a beautiful exchange of passes and dribbles between Thompson and Edeh, which set up Agha for his  hat-trick in the 32nd minute.

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It was raining goals and it was the turn of the Beninoise in the 45th minute, as a low drive from Jeremy Zannou gave the Baby Cheetahs a consolation goal.

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Last-gasp Salah penalty earns below-par Liverpool dramatic victory at Burnley

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Premier League - Burnley v Liverpool - Turf Moor, Burnley, Britain - September 14, 2025 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah in action with Burnley's Hjalmar Ekdal REUTERS/Scott Heppell

Mohamed Salah’s dramatic stoppage-time penalty ensured Liverpool maintained their winning start to the Premier League season with a 1-0 victory at promoted side Burnley on Sunday.

With British record signing Alexander Isak forced to wait for his Liverpool debut having been left out the squad for the trip to Lancashire, the champions struggled to break down a dogged home side in the first half.

After a regroup at the break, the visitors upped the ante in the second half, with Dominik Szoboszlai finally forcing a fine save from Martin Dubravka in the Burnley goal.

Burnley were holding on for a well-earned point with ease, before the ball agonisingly struck substitute Hannibal Mejbri’s arm in the penalty area and Salah slotted the spot kick into the net in the 95th minute to break home hearts.

Liverpool are still to really get going this season, requiring a winner in the last 10 minutes of all four of their league victories so far. The goal that clinched an undeserved success at Turf Moor was certainly the most fortunate.

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After one of the longest transfer sagas in Premier League history finally reached its expected conclusion, Liverpool supporters were forced to wait two weeks for their first glimpse of their 125-million-pound ($169.45-million) goal machine due to the international break.

While coach Arne Slot said this week that Isak would have to be utilised carefully due to his previous injuries and lack of action so far this season, the Swede was still expected to at least be on the bench at Turf Moor.

The wait goes on as, without their expensive new forward, Liverpool mustered just one shot on target in the first half, from left-back Andrew Robertson.

Burnley, who conceded the fewest goals in English football league history last term to earn them promotion, otherwise frustrated the champions with ease. Even Lesley Ugochukwu’s red card for two bookings in the 84th minute did not seem to fluster them.

Even without Isak, Liverpool still had much attacking talent on the Turf Moor pitch but they just could not find that killer pass.

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Salah was especially below par but he made no mistake in the most pressurised moment after Hannibal had stuck up an arm to block Jeremie Frimpong’s cross

The champions’ impressive Premier League goalscoring streak stretches to 38 games nonetheless, their longest such run in the competition.

-Reuters

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